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Farmington | Lakeville

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August 3, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 23

Farmington raises went all the way to the top Former city administrator Ed Shukle’s raises surpassed contract rate

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

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Education Today Area school districts are exploring the use of iPad technology in varying degrees this school year.

Months before he agreed to resign, then-Farmington City Administrator Ed Shukle in 2003 received a $6,383 raise partly based on a compensation study that found he was being paid more than the market median salary. Shukle’s salary rose to

$93,383 on Jan. 1, 2003, based on a 2002 compensation study and cost-of-living increas- Ed Shukle es, according to city payroll documents. Then-Farmington May-

or Jerry Ristow said he did not find out about the raise and salary level until months later. City administrator’s compensation is determined by a negotiated contract with the City Council, and increased upon positive performance reviews, Farmington Mayor Todd Larson said.

On Dec. 16, 2002, Shukle clarified in an addendum to City Council members that the city administrator is eligible for cost-of-living raises, and should receive them at the same time as non-union employees. According to meeting minutes, the addendum was approved by City Council.

Former City Council Member Lacelle Cordes, who was on the council when Shukle worked for the city, said Shukle’s raises were “absolutely not” appropriate “because his raises should come from council reviews, not studies and/ or cost-of-living raises.” See shukle, 17A

May will not seek re-election

thisweekend

Hopes new council members will inspire change by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

‘Wrong’ feels so right After a decade-long hiatus, Savage singersongwriter Mindy Miller returns to country music with her third studio album, “Wrong.” Page 12A

sports

Photo by Debra Bell

Lakeville teen Matt Zupke (left) enjoys some quality time with two children in Sierra Leone. Zupke and his mother, father and sister have for years been volunteering as support for medical professionals in Africa during their summer vacations from work and school.

What they do on their summer vacations Lakeville family rides the seas to save lives

by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

Fundraisers set for family The Lakeville South football community is rallying around one of its players after he was hurt in a pool accident. Page 14A

A woman lived 50 years with a cleft lip, exposed to the style of ridicule that accompanies such a birth defect – she was shunned and obscured herself from the public. A little girl, only 2 years old, never learned to walk. She couldn’t if she wanted to – a large tumor was growing on her face, weighing her down despite her attempts to try. A man lost his nose to a machete swipe during a brawl. He carried on his life with holes in his face.

They each received life-changing help thanks to Mercy Ships and the volunteerism of Lakeville family the Zupkes, members of Trinity Evangelical Free Church. Sam and Margo are educators in School District 196 and their children attend school in Lakeville. The woman’s lip was fixed and the girl’s tumor removed, which along with some physical therapy allowed her to walk for the first time in her life. The man received a new nose. Mercy Ships’ 499-foot Africa Mercy stops at a

different African nation each year, bringing doctors, dentists and a helpful crew – all volunteers who pay for the privilege of travel in order to help the disadvantaged. Mercy Ships’ mission, according to the organization, is to follow “the 2,000-year-old model of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor.” The idea is to instill self-sufficiency in the beneficiaries. The free medical care and select procedures and agricultural training ensure those who are helped can help themselves

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District 194 faces more tough fiscal decisions

by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

The Lakeville Area School District could pursue an operating levy referendum in 2013. Over the past six years the district has made $21 million in budget adjustments. It might not end there. According to Director of Business Services Mark Klett, “if the same assumptions were made for the next biennium that were used during the current, we could have another deficit of over $13 million for the biennium” of 2013-2015. In 2011 the district had to make cuts to staff positions and curriculum. Class sizes grew in some cases and programs such as elementary art were cut. A recently released

Springsted survey reveals that the public’s endurance of painful cuts might have hit its limit and that it would support a modest operating levy, around an increase of $168 in property taxes a year for a home worth $230,000. About 60 percent of the 400 people surveyed supported a levy of that amount. That $168 levy would equal about $300 per student for the district from the state. This is below the $525 per student (not a levy value) the district would need to maintain status quo, said Superintendent Lisa Snyder, but it would make cuts less intrusive. Don Lifto, a client representative at Springsted, presented the data at a recent School Board meeting. Springsted conducted the

survey from July 8 through 15, and it has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent. Lifto said the people his firm surveyed included those with students in the schools, those without children and those whose children have graduated from the district. A majority (53 percent) of those surveyed were women, who were about 10 percent more likely to support an operating levy referendum than were men. People between the ages of 18-44, those with children in the schools and those who lived within the city of Lakeville were also more likely to support a levy. Lifto told the board that See levy, 21A

long after the ship leaves the port. A couple of weeks ago, the Zupkes returned from their sixth and most recent excursion, which lasted about six weeks. They were in Togo, a west African nation. They have previously helped out in other African nations, such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Benin. Since he was in elementary school, Matt Zupke has been participating in Mercy Ships, along with his parents and his youngSee zupke, 22A

Four years ago, Farmington City Council Member Julie May was elected on her slogan “I’m so sick of it,” referring to city issues. After one term in office, May is stating the phrase again Julie May to explain why she will not seek re-election in November. “There are all those fluffy answers, like spending more time with family, and they are all true,” May said. “But really, it came down to … I’m so sick of it. That’s why I ran, and that’s also why I’m not running again.” May, an outspoken watchdog on fiscal issues, said she is frustrated that the council has not been able to work together to more effectively address budget issues. “I really thought we would make more of a difference,” she said. “But I just don’t see that we’ve worked constructively with staff to make a difference.” She said new City Council members could better make the changes needed to address the city’s fiscal issues. May, a banker, has suggested making cuts to address the city’s budget deficit and supported organizational restructuring, but progSee may, 21A

Tax increase proposed for 2013 Early Lakeville budget calls for increased street improvements

by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

The Lakeville City Council saw on July 30 the first draft of the 2013 and 2014 budgets, both of which call for single-digit levy increases. The levy for 2013 would be about $23.7 million, a 2.5 percent increase, and in 2014 would be about $24.4 million, a 3 percent increase, according to the budget document. Mayor Mark Bellows said he was not pleased with the proposed levy increases, but said it is still early in the budgeting process and that he would “work toward lowering it.” City Council Member

Matt Little said the budget reflected an increased workload but that with time the council could find ways to lower the levy. A sizable chunk of the increase is related to two components: operations and street improvements (primarily larger street reconstruction projects required because of the city’s old infrastructure in some neighborhoods). The operations component includes proposed plans for the reinstatement of the assistant city administrator position, which is an annual salary of $113,000. City Administrator See budget, 21A

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Few minorities serve in public office Percentage elected is far less than the percent of metro minority population

by T.W. Budig Sun Thisweek

Even though the sevencounty metro area is comprised of nearly 25 percent non-Caucasians, minorities do not serve in city, county and school board offices in numbers anywhere near the robustness of the population. Out of the current roster of 200 lawmakers at the State Capitol, minorities number in the single digits. If the racial/ethnic make-up of the state were proportionally represented, the number should be more than 20. Nationally, the Legislature ranks in the top 10 in terms of fewest number of minorities, according to National Conference of State Legislatures data. In other areas of government, elected leaders who are minorities are few. Out of 42 occupied county board seats (one is vacant) in the metro, two commissioners, Toni Carter and

Rafael Ortega, serving on the Ramsey County Board, were identified as minorities. According to the 2010 Census, about a third of the people in Ramsey County are minorities, making it the most diverse county in the metro. Hennepin County follows closely behind, and there were 17.7 percent nonwhites in Dakota County, according to the 2010 Census. The inner-ring suburban cities of Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Columbia Heights and Richfield, with minority populations over 35 percent, the city councils have no minorities serving on them. Minorities have run for office in his city, according to Brooklyn Center Mayor Tim Willson. “The voters chose not to vote them in, and voted for someone else,” he said. Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, who is of Samoan descent, strongly rejects that numbers like the city’s minority population of 22.5 percent (2010 Census) are even relevant with minorities and public office. Picking over the numbers is viewing a decision-making process that’s highly personal through a political lens, she argued. “It has more to do with the people,” she said of individuals seeking elective office. It’s a question of fortitude, experience, willingness to serve, said Kautz, former president of The United States Conference of Mayors. “I never thought it was a big issue,” said Forest Lake Council Member Mike Freer, an African American. “(But) I don’t see race.” Freer feels no additional

burden on him as a public official because of his race. Forest Lake is 93 percent white. Voters approve or disapprove of his actions, explained Freer, to the same degree they do of white city council members. “I love what I’m doing,” Freer said of serving on the council. Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton said there are qualities that are not a function of race at all, that are paramount to being an effective public servant. “That’s intelligence, integrity, empathy,” he said. “I think it’s important to note a man of color is the president of the United States,” Dayton said, “which is historic, and hopefully will serve as a role for young, aspiring men and women of color to seek public office.”

On the rise In a 2001 survey of city and county governments in the metro area, Minnesota Public Radio found the late Eden Prairie Mayor Dr. Jean L. Harris, a trail-blazing African American woman so respected as to have an award named after her, was one of 10 minorities holding office out of 840 elected officials. While that number has increased in the past 11 years, University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Dara Strolovitch said data suggests having minorities in elective office serves as an invitation to other minority people, who may otherwise feel alienated from the process. “In a democracy, legitimacy is important,” she said. Beyond this, studies suggest numbers are important in terms of steering agendas, See minorities, 3A

minorities, from 2A explained Strolovitch. In a well known analysis concerning women in politics, Drude Dahlerup, Stockholm University professor of political science, indicated the “critical mass” at which a large minority can make a difference, though still a minority, is around 30 percent. Though some view the number of minorities in elective office as lagging, change may be on the horizon. Ortega, looking back at his entry into politics, sees cultural education taking place. Education and time are pacesetters, Ortega indicated. “Everybody goes into the soup,” he said of the blending of cultures. Diversity, to his collegeage daughter’s generation, is normal, Ortega explained. “I think people who are older, whose life has been spent in non-minority enclaves are going to have more difficulty adjusting than children who from their first day in school are with a variety of classmates,” Dayton said. But there’s no magic to adjusting attitudes toward race. “You’re always going to have that. That’s an eternal problem,” Ortega said. He views the number of voters who simply will not vote for minorities as small. Ten years ago, minorities represented more than 10 percent of the population in just six cities in the metro. Today, they represent more than 10 percent of the population in 73 cities. “It will happen,” Myron Orfield, executive director of the University of Minnesota Institute on Race and Poverty, said of more minorities holding elective office. But will there ever be direct proportionality? “It’s unlikely,” Strolovitch said. T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville August 3, 2012

Reasons for disproportion suggested by T.W. Budig Sun ThisWeek

trust,” she said. Rafael Ortega, elected in 1994 as the Ramsey County Board’s first minority member, the first Hispanic, the issue of minorities and elective office is complex. Hispanic families, for instance, tend to be younger families – not the best age to be drawn into politics, he noted. Unlike in Minneapolis and St. Paul where concentrations of minorities tend to hone a political edge, in the suburbs they are often dispersed. The “comfort level” with diversity in the suburbs remains uneven, Ortega indicated. “I think it makes it more difficult to get elected,” he said. Myron Orfield, executive director of the University of Minnesota Institute on Race and Poverty, said minorities are under represented in part because white people tend to vote more frequently. Whites are more likely to be U.S. citizens, he noted. And whites have longer histories and stronger connections to the political process, Orfield explained. “In general, it (minorities in office) lags behind the population change,” he said. And there may be selfimposed limitations. University of Minnesota Political Science Professor Dara Strolovitch, author and expert on the causes and consequences of political inequalities, said minority people tend to judge themselves harshly in terms of political potential. “Women and people of color are less likely to think they’d make good candidates,” she said. And they tend to be asked less often to run, she explained.

Although minorities serve in elective Twin Cities metro area offices in St. Louis Park, Centerville, Forest Lake, Maplewood, Mendota Heights – on school boards, such as Bloomington, Hopkins, Robbinsdale – they remain a small minority. “I wish I had an answer for that,” said city of Maplewood Council Member James Llanas, a Hispanic, when asked why more minorities aren’t found in public office. Reasons have been suggested. Llanas indicated in some cultures the idea of pushing family members into the spotlight, the price of politics, is repellent. “It’s important that we have more representation,” said Hector Garcia, executive director of the Council on Affairs of Chicano/Latino People. The number of Chicano/ Latino people in Minnesota is growing rapidly, he said. Still, about 40 percent of newly arriving Chicano/Latinos are immigrants, Garcia explained. They’re not necessarily used to American politics. They may come from countries where political activity is dangerous. “So it’s hard initially for them to engage,” Garcia said. Minnesota DFL State Party Outreach Director Mona Langston expressed similar sentiments. “It’s a very intimidating process,” she said of running for elective office. Langston, who often speaks with minority groups by teaming with local community groups, describes a gradual process of first learning the needs of a given community, say, Somalis in Eden Prairie, before detail- T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com or ing party politics. “We have to earn their facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Opinion

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Canterbury agreement deserved stronger vetting A 10-year agreement between Canterbury Park and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community reached in early June is neatly billed as a “cooperative marketing agreement.” To be fair, the agreement does involve marketing, as the race track operation and Mystic Lake Casino owners will work hand in hand to promote each other. But the agreement does far more than target marketing. In essence, the $75 million from the casino and a separate $8.5 million for joint marketing efforts have bought Canterbury’s silence when it comes to racino. Racino is the long-running proposal at the state Legislature that would introduce slot machines at the two state-regulated horse tracks — Canterbury and Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus, just outside Forest Lake. The tracks have lobbied for years to allow racino, but with little progress as anti-gambling forces and the Indian gaming lobby have pushed back hard. The deal reached on June 4 with little or no advance public knowledge also swept through the Minnesota Racing Commission two weeks later. Behind a 5-3 vote by the commission, the agreement was approved.

ECM Editorial Was more scrutiny on the state’s part warranted in light of a multimillion-dollar contract? Did the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community deal involve the same vetting that would be needed in any other merger of a state-regulated entity? A merger involving any public utility would take months of vetting and hearings, far more than the two weeks that the racing commission took. John Derus, who serves on the Running Aces board, has asked a pertinent question: “Is Canterbury still Canterbury or a quasi Indian gaming casino?” The agreement has made the racino hill even steeper to climb. Under the pact, Canterbury Park will no longer push for racino and will lobby against any legislative proposals for racino. The relationship between the two race tracks has been weak at best, and the deal with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community shattered what was left of track partnership. Imagine Running Aces and Canterbury Park as a tag team in wrestling taking on

the powerful Indian gaming tag team. Racino is the championship belt. As the match reaches a key point, Running Aces takes a sucker punch from its partner and crumbles as Canterbury swings the match to the champs. The victors and Canterbury Park walk off slapping each other on the back as Running Aces sits stunned in the ring, wondering what just happened. Call it a smart business move or a sucker punch, but the result remains — Running Aces was dealt a bad hand. There is no question Canterbury will benefit. Purses have gone up, the horse industry will benefit and there will be more people headed to the track. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community can rest assured that its strongest opponent in the racino debate is now silent. Running Aces will be left to soldier on alone with the slim hope that racino won’t be pulled from life support at the Capitol. Derus pledges that Running Aces will continue to seek slot machines, a move that would double the size of the facility and add jobs at the 500-employee race track and card club. If Running Aces has one hope it lies in the fact the state still has a budget hole to

fill and no means to fill it beyond taxes. Even with Canterbury gone from the racino picture, Derus says Running Aces could generate $50 million a year in state tax revenue and boost property taxes from its expanded facility. It’s not chump change. It’s a revenue pool the state may need to consider. There is also the possibility that Running Aces could form a partnership of its own with one of the northern tribal gaming concerns. But with the track having its best year to date, there is no clear signal that will be a course followed. It is the opinion here that the Canterbury/ Mystic Lake agreement came to be without the detailed study and review necessary for any merger involving a state-regulated industry. What we are left with is a state-regulated race track that is now tied at the hip with a non-taxpaying monopoly that has no obligation nor reason to show its books to the state. It is an agreement that is rife with the potential for conflict of interest. An editorial from the ECM Editorial Board. Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune are part of ECM Publishers Inc.

The pain inflicted by bullies can last a lifetime by Larry Werner Sun Thisweek

It’s probably been 20 years since I happened upon an essay written by my daughter, who is now a 38-year-old mother of two. The essay was about the importance of her sense of humor in dealing with bullying. Specifically, she wrote in that high school paper that her sense of humor helped her deflect the taunts and harassment she received from pre-teen girls who made her a target when she showed up as the new kid at an Edina elementary school. During a transient stage of my career, I had moved my wife and children five times in six years through five states, ending up in Edina. Years later, I found out that one of the consequences of my moves was setting my children up for bullies who pick on the new arrivals. My older son, likewise, was bullied – punched and pushed at the bus stop outside our Edina home by a troubled boy who lived next door and acted out his frustrations by tormenting my son. My younger son, whose anxiety disorder frustrated a physical education teacher into provoking one of my boy’s meltdowns, painted for me a picture of the bullied child. As we were driving away from the Lakeville school I was summoned to after his meltdown, my son asked me to stop the car. He pointed to another young boy who stood on the periphery of where other boys were playing. “He’s like I am,” my son said of the kid

Sun Thisweek Columnist

Larry Werner

who watched, rather than played, because he wasn’t one of them. I am reminded of these experiences from my own parenting life by the stories appearing regularly in our newspapers concerning the problem of bullying. Jon Tatting, reporter for The Post Review in North Branch, wrote in the July 4 paper that a survey of parents, students and staff revealed that bullying is a major concern in the Rush City schools. Jon wrote about the testimony of a parent who took her complaints about the bullying of her child to the district’s school board and the superintendent. That superintendent, Vern Koepp, said the school district plans to develop a bullying-prevention plan. High school counselor Heidi Larson said it’s important that the plan will be student-driven. She said: “Students have a big influence on each other. We need kids to want to be kind.” The story of bullies is one of the most important of our time. The staff of the papers we publish in Anoka County was recognized by the Minnesota Newspaper Association for its coverage of what became a national story about a lawsuit settled in March by the Anoka-

Hennepin School District over allegations of persistent bullying based on sexual orientation. More recently in Lakeville, the Sun Thisweek papers have written about the cyber-bullying that took the form of junior high students posting locker-room photos of classmates on internet sites. Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom filed charges against four teenagers in that incident. A state task force on bullying issued a report July 18 calling for a stronger state anti-bullying law after conducting listening sessions around the state. A national anti-bullying organization gave Minnesota the lowest grade given to any state when it graded state laws dealing with the issue. The state Task Force for the Prevention of School Bullying appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton takes issue with the position of former Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who vetoed an anti-bullying law in 2009, saying the current law was sufficient. The issue of bullying is of great interest to many of us who have endured with our children the hurt bullies inflict. And we are thankful for the educators, social workers and public officials who are bringing attention to the issue. Rush City school counselor Heidi Larson said bullying has become more prevalent and more complicated because of social media. “The social media and cyber stuff is out of control,” Larson said. “Someone will put something on your Facebook page and

the parent of the target will respond.” Technology might be making the problem more complicated, she said, but the solution is simple. “Can we just go back to the simplicity of being kind?” she asked. “The solutions are simple, but how do we get there?” In the case of my children, we found in schools there are people like Larson who want to help the victims of bullies. A school social worker met regularly with my daughter to help her through those difficult times and provide her with affirmations she wasn’t getting from the bullying peers. But all these years later, if I mention the name of the girl who took the lead in bullying my daughter, she talks with passion about how painful that time was for her. The principal at my middle son’s school warned the mother of the bus-stop bully that he wouldn’t be allowed to ride the school bus if he continued his assaults. And in the case of my youngest, we eventually found a charter school was a better place for him than the mainstream public school. If you have stories you’d like to share about bullies and how you’ve dealt with this problem, e-mail me at the address below. Larry Werner, a former Lakeville resident and general manager/editor of Sun Thisweek, is director of news for ECM Publishers. His email address is larry.werner@ecm-inc.com. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters Roundabout not the right solution To the editor: I received a notice several weeks ago from the county concerning a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Dodd Boulevard and Highview Avenue in Lakeville. This past week, I attended the informational meeting concerning the proposed roundabout. The representative I talked with had stated that they had a number of complaints about traffic backup at the

intersection and they were addressing the problem by constructing a roundabout. After looking at the design plans the county had at the meeting, I asked a representative what the cost would be for the roundabout. I was thinking the cost might be $1 million to $1.5 million for the project. I was shocked when the representation stated the cost was estimated to be $7 million. I have not been a fan of roundabouts and when I heard the cost I could hardly believe the county was going to spend that kind

of money for a project that seems to be mostly for the “cool” factor of a roundabout. The representative also said the project would take the whole 2013 construction season, which he stated would be March through October. What a waste of taxpayer money. I don’t understand why installing traffic signals wouldn’t be as good or better than a roundabout at a fraction of the cost. I would think a roundabout would be a nightmare for large trucks trying to get around the curved islands

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and other obstacles of the roundabout. I don’t know what the county highway engineers were thinking when they came up with such a grandiose plan. I don’t understand in these tough economic times, why spending $7 million on a project like this would be proposed at all. I hope the county will reassess the project and save the taxpayers some money with a less costly solution. WILLIAM NELSON Lakeville

Clausen has history of collaboration To the editor: Please vote for Greg Clausen in the state primary on Tuesday, Aug. 14 for Minnesota State Senate, District 57. We need Greg Clausen representing us in the state senate. He has both the skills to get things done and a real understanding of our community’s needs. As past principal of Rosemount High School, Greg knows the necessity of living within a budget. He has spent years working with parents, teachers, students and staff to find common ground. We desperately need representatives who can be responsible with our tax dollars and are able to work with others. Greg values quality education, but he also knows that the current tax struc-

ture has placed a heavy burden on middle class homeowners. He will work to bring back the property tax credits to ease that burden. Greg also knows that we as a community cannot prosper unless we bring strong job growth back to Minnesota. After another year of finger pointing and squabbling and a legislative body that has been unable to balance a budget without government shutdowns we need to change course and elect a person who has a track record of working with others. Nika Davies Apple Valley

Lawn can filter car wash water To the editor: I was taking a bicycle ride recently and I saw someone washing their car in the driveway. In the gutter was soap. I can’t understand how people can do this. Do they realize that storm sewers are connected directly to ponds, streams, and lakes? Soap from a driveway is what kills fish, frogs and plants. Please divert water from car washing to your lawn because the lawn will at least soak up some of the soap. Harley Horsager Lakeville Lakeville Friends of the Environment member

Clausen is fair, smart, candid To the editor: In many ways this November the very quality of life, which we Minnesotans enjoy, will be on the ballots. Our newly elected state leaders will be guiding us through economic and social challenges, which will impact our community for generations to come. We need men and women in state government who can be trusted to be honest, fair and open. I have known Greg Clausen professionally and personally since 1981 when I moved to Apple Valley to begin teaching at Apple Valley High School. Greg’s service to our community as assistant principal and principal at two of our district high schools has given me the opportunity to observe closely his leadership skills, core values and work ethic. What I have seen is a man of great integrity and compassion – a man who has a balanced worldview and seeks to solicit input from many. Greg weighs options to form reflective, well-researched and transparent decisions. Greg Clausen is smart, candid and fair. He will listen to you. Please join me and vote for Greg Clausen for State Senate in the Aug. 14 primary and in the Nov. 6 general election. Linda Albertson Apple Valley

Filing period opens Candidates may file for Farmington city or school offices until Aug. 14

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

As of Wednesday, four Farmington citizens had filed to run for either the Farmington City Council or the Farmington School Board. Farmington Mayor Todd Larson is running unopposed as of July 31, the first day filing opened. “I filed at 8:02 a.m.,” said Larson, who was first elected in 2008 after serving 13 years on the Farmington Planning Commission. He is an outspoken advocate for shopping local and interested in inciting economic development. Two Farmington City Council seats are up for reelection Nov. 6. Council Member Julie May has announced she will not seek re-election (see related story), and Council Member Terry Donnelly, a former Farmington School

Service news Navy Seaman Anastasia M. Smith, daughter of Jean and Guy Smith of Farmington, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Smith is a 2011 graduate of Rosemount High School. Navy Seaman Sheinina J.

Comment on county’s newest park Learn more about Dakota County’s newest park – Whitetail Woods Regional Park – on Monday, Aug. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lebanon Hills Regional Park Visitors Center, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan. View preliminary options for development of the 456acre park located in Empire Township, and comment on the proposed recreational activities, community gathering spaces and natural resource restoration.

Board member, has not announced whether he will seek a second term on the council. Three men who previously announced their candidacy have filed to run for the Farmington School Board: Eric Bartosh, Rob Carpentier and Jake Cordes. Bartosh, a District 196 teacher, has advocated for maintaining extra-curricular activities like sports and theater, even in tight budgets, to provide students opportunities to learn life skills. Carpentier, former Farmington High School teacher, said he is running to help Farmington schools become a magnet for families seeking excellence in public education. Cordes, a 2009 Farmington High School graduate, is a champion of classroom innovation and student learning who fully supports the district’s iPad initiative.

Three of the six School Board seats are up for election this year, currently held by Julie McKnight, Tim Burke and Julie Singewald. Burke has announced he will not seek re-election. The filing period for either city or school office, both four-year terms, closes Aug. 14. Until then, School Board candidates file an affidavit of candidacy with the School District office and Farmington City Council candidates file at Farmington City Hall. Candidates must swear (or affirm) they are at least 21 years old, eligible to vote in Minnesota and have maintained residence in the city or school district for at least 30 days before the general election.

Ulama, daughter of Evelyn Ulama of Farmington and Sindatuk Ulama Jr. of Farmington, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill. Ulama is a 2011 graduate of Farmington High School.

Air Force Airman Chad D. Allen graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Allen, a 2011 graduate of Lakeville South High School, is the son of Randy Allen of Lakeville.

Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville August 3, 2012

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

A shocking sacrifice Farmington mayor zapped to raise money for foodshelf

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Farmington Mayor Todd Larson and seven other citizen police academy graduates volunteered to be Tased as part of the July 25 graduation ceremony at Farmington City Hall. The ceremony, attended by family and friends of the graduates, included an overview of the class, videos of real police scenarios and colorful commentary by Farmington Police Chief Brian Lindquist. Larson’s Taser experience doubled as a fundraiser for the Farmington foodshelf, raising a total of $915. More than half of that money was donated by Larson’s boss, Mike Ramy Jr. of Ramy Turf Products of St. Paul and Mankato. “I’m willing to go through some pain if it means more people will eat,” Larson said.

Photo by Laura Adelmann

Farmington Mayor Todd Larson reacted to shock waves as Laura Adelmann is at laura. he was Tased on July 25 at the graduation ceremony for the adelmann@ecm-inc.com or police department’s citizens academy. Seven other graduates facebook.com/sunthisweek. agreed to endure the painful experience.

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Task force nets $300,000 in drugs

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The Dakota County Drug Task Force and several other law enforcement agencies siezed drugs estimated in value of $300,000 and approximately $10,000 worth of stolen goods on Tuesday as a result of an 11-month-long narcotics investigation in an effort to address growing illegal heroin use in the metro area, including in Dakota County, according to a release from the task force. More than 75 officers of the task force; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension executed 14 search war-

rants related to Operation Huckleberry, an investigation that was expanded to include a crackdown on illicit sales and distribution of cocaine, ecstasy and firearms. Among the drugs seized were 1 pound of cocaine, 3/4 pound of heroin, 172 pounds of marijuana, approximately 400 ecstasy tablets, six firearms, and counterfeit currency and production equipment. Three people are facing charges as a result of the operation – two Bloomington residents a 19-year-old woman and a 41-year-old man and a 38-year-old man from Minneapolis.

Rikki Lee Gilow and Eric Michelle Hunter were each charged with 15 counts of distribution of controlled substances and two counts of using and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. Hunter was charged with two counts of being a felon in possessioin of a firearm. Jerry Anthony Harvey was charged with one count of distribution of heroin. Additional conspirators are expected to be charged in Dakota County related to their involvement in the criminal organization, according to the release. – Tad Johnson

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Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville August 3, 2012

Late nights, colorful marketing

Northfield man escapes plane crash with only minor cuts

Toppers enters south suburban pizza market

by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

A 61-year-old Northfield pilot of a small single-engine aircraft escaped with minor injuries after crashing his plane a half-mile north of County Road 86 and east of Highway 3 following an aborted landing Tuesday afternoon south of Farmington. Benny Harris Svien was flying back to his home after a brief flight when he attempted to land on the runway located on his property, according to Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows. After attempting to land he powered the aircraft, but began to experience mechanical problems with

the plane’s rudder at approximately 1,700 feet. After crashing into a cornfield at about 2 p.m., the plane caught on fire. Svien was able to get out of the plane, sustaining only minor cuts to his neck. The plane, a 2002 Kit Fox classified as an experimental aircraft, was destroyed in the crash. In addition to the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, the Farmington Police and Fire departments also responded to the scene. They were joined by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. – Tad Johnson

Photo by John Gessner

Victoria West is general manager and a franchise partner in the new Burnsville location of the Toppers pizza-delivery chain. The Burnsville store opened July 28. ties, mostly in pizza, West said. Toppers plans to saturate the Midwest and expand from its current 42 locations to 150 by the end of 2015 and 500 nationwide by the end of 2020. “Everything about Toppers was so genuine in terms of the brand and the messaging,” West said. “We went to a grand opening in Green Bay last fall and decided we wanted to be a part of it.” Based in Whitewater, Wis., the nearly 20-yearold chain built much of its brand loyalty with Wisconsin college crowds, according to West. Its marketing approach is full of colorful sloganeering, which turns a bit racy at times. “It’s a little bit cheeky. Some people call it irreverent,” West said. “It genuinely grew into that,” she said. “The 18- to 34-year-old market genuinely loves this brand and this pizza. Wherever there are stores in campus areas, they love the late-night piz-

za.” Toppers claims a pioneering role among delivery chains in the cheesybread market with its Topperstix (which include offshoots such as Baconstix and Tacostix). Pizzas are made with 100 percent Wisconsin cheese on handtossed, crispy or signature Tall Boy crust. Wings, several hot sandwiches and Q’za (a “quesadilla cousin from south of the border,” the menu says) are also available. The Burnsville store will deliver within an eight-minute drive area that includes Burnsville, western Apple Valley and part of northern Lakeville, West said. “It’s really a dense area,” she said. “There are a lot of households, businesses, schools, churches, hotels.” Online ordering is available. Information is available at (952) 431-3388 and www.toppers.com. John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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It’s nearly 3 a.m. Do you know where your pizza is coming from? Choices are the all-night store or Toppers, a delivery chain that built its name serving pizza-jonesing college kids in Wisconsin and now has a franchise location in Burnsville. The Burnsville franchisees hope the lateness of the hour (Toppers is open until 3 a.m. daily) and the company’s signature menu items, enthusiastic service and crazy-kitsch marketing will make a splash in the crowded suburban market. “The other component is we have a lot of fanatics, and people are following and watching where these stores are opening,” said Victoria West, general manager of the Burnsville store and a partner in the franchise with her sister and brother-in-law, Katie and Lonnie Provencher of Lakeville. The Burnsville store opened July 28 at 1000 County Road 42 E. in the Wood Park Plaza mall. Burnsville is one of seven Toppers locations in Minnesota, with an eighth set to open in Rochester. The Burnsville franchisees plan to four more suburban stores north and east of Burnsville, said West, 29. “Katie, Lonnie and myself all have skin in the game,” said West, an Augsburg College economics and business administration graduate who worked at Target corporate headquarters for six years before joining Toppers. “We also do have some financers that are relatively silent. We also have some financing through Coulee Bank in St. Paul.” West and her sister, originally from Litchfield, once worked together at a freight logistics company. They wanted to work together again and sought out franchising opportuni-

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Candidates offer contrast District 1 commissioner candidates square off in Aug. 14 primary

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Differences among four of the five District 1 Dakota County commissioner candidates emerged at a July 26 forum at Farmington City Hall. Attending were candidates Brian Jaye Budenski, Christy Jo Fogarty, Mark A. Henry and Mike Slavik. Candidate Dean Birnstengel did not attend or respond to a mailing and phone messages regarding the debate. The two candidates with the highest votes at the Aug. 14 primary election will advance to the Nov. 6 general election, when one candidate will be elected to replace Joe Harris, a Hastings business man who has represented Farmington, Hastings and the rural area for 32 years. At the forum, candidates were asked a variety of questions. Below is a sampling of the questions and quotes of their responses. The entire forum, which was organized by the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce and Sun Thisweek, will be shown on cable access Channel 16 in Farmington, Rosemount

Candidate forum television schedule set The 2012 Dakota County Board of Commissioners District 1 Primary Candidate Forum will be shown on cable access Channel 16 in Farmington, Rosemount, and Apple Valley according to the following schedule. It will run through Monday, Aug. 13. Sunday – 9 p.m.; Monday – 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 6 p.m.; Tuesday – 1 a.m., 10 a.m., and 6 p.m.; Wednesday - 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Friday - 7 a.m., 10 a.m., and 6 p.m.; and Saturday – 1 a.m. and 5 p.m. and Apple Valley through Monday, Aug. 13. District 1 is unique in that it encompasses cites and townships. Sometimes these governments have differing goals. How do you adequately represent both city and township issues? Slavik: “Be very active in understanding what is hap-

pening with the township board associations. Some townships are choosing to grow and develop while other townships are feeling they want to preserve their natural agriculture and open spaces. Part of it is working together, listening to those approaches there … and also … trying to collaborate and get everyone together as often as possible. Henry: Townships fundamentally are greatly different from cities in that they don’t have … professional staff. … I believe Dakota County has done a good job of helping the townships in dealing with engineering issues, law enforcement. Cities and townships are completely different. Some of the smaller cities … rely on the services more … like a township would. They don’t have staff either. They don’t have the law enforcement in place, so they rely on the sheriff’s department. Cities are fundamentally different in that respect. Fogarty: Being able to work corroboratively together has been a primary goal of mine on the (Farmington) City Council, which is why I worked on the Castle Rock discussion group, the Empire Planning Commission. In both of those, between the city and the township, we’ve been able to come up with joint powers agreements on annexation, road

maintenance, and a variety of different topics. … Where there isn’t common ground, you need to know the communities that you’re going to serve, and I’m very, very familiar with the communities.” Budenski: “Being on the (Eureka) Township Board for the last six years, it would be nice to see a county commissioner a lot more often than what we have seen. … Cities govern themselves more so than townships do, so to be well-informed at a township level, the commissioner would have to show up more often at the meetings and be prepared for what is going to be on the agenda. … It would be advantageous for a commissioner to be involved more often.” Joe Harris held this District 1 seat for 32 years. Do you think commissioners should be able to run for reelection as long as they are willing, or do you think term limits should be put in place and why? Henry: “I believe that in this kind of position, I think Mr. Harris did a good job for 32 years. He was re-elected every four years because of the good job he did. Sometimes a person comes along and they should have the right to maintain that position. … No, I don’t believe in term limits in something See candidates, 10A

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Benkufsky Mittelstaedt

Solinger - Bloss

Ma ry Ellen Benkuf sk y a nd Dave Mittelstaedt, Jr. announce their engagement. Parents are John and Judy Benkufsky of Shoreview and Dave and Debbie Mittelstaedt of Apple Valley. Mary and Dave are both employed at Country Cabinets. The couple will be married September 7, 2012 in Lakeville.

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Krause Narverud Paul Narverud, son of Jay and Jane Narverud of Burnsville, and Becca Krause, daughter of Kirk and Dee Dee Krause and P.J. and Alex Grymala, all of Superior, WI, announce their engagement. Paul graduated from Apple Valley High School in 2003 and UM Duluth in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He is a logistics analyst clerk at Nash Finch in Edina. Becca graduated from Superior High School in 2005 and Lake Superior College in Duluth in 2008 with a physical therapist assistant associate degree. She is a physical therapist assistant at St. Therese of New Hope. A Sept. 22nd wedding is planned at St Francis Xavier Church in Superior. The couple resides in Burnsville.

Hobot Slettehaugh

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Dean and Patty Solinger of Burnsville, Minnesota are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter Kelly, to Zach Bloss, son of Danny and Becky Bloss of Niles, Michigan. Kelly is a 2008 graduate of Burnsville Senior High School. She graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 with a degree in psychology. Zach is also a 2012 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and has a degree in accountancy. He is studying to become a CPA. Kelly will attend the University of Michigan to pursue a Master of Arts in elementary education. Zach is employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers as an assurance associate in Detroit, MI. The couple is currently residing in a suburb of Detroit. Zach and Kelly will be married in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame in July 2013.

Ron Hobot and Ann Slettehaugh of Eagan, proudly announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Ann is a 1981 graduate of Bloomington Kennedy High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth. She spent several years at WebMD and is currently a QA Analyst for SureScripts in Minneapolis, testing software for doctors to submit prescriptions electronically. Ann has two sons from a prior marriage. Her oldest son is leaving for his fourth deployment in the U.S. Air Force in September and is currently based in Atlanta, GA. Her younger son is attending high school. Ron is a 1980 graduate of Burnsville High School, Northwest Technical Institute with a degree in architecture and regularly attends Kaplan Professional Schools. He is a Broker and REALTOR® for Midwest Brokers, Inc. in Bloomington. For the last 20 years he has been listing, selling and financing homes in the Twin Cities area, as well as more recently listing and selling recreational properties in Pine and Kanabec Counties. Ron has a daughter and son from a prior marriage attending high school. Ron and Ann are childhood best-friends and remain deeply committed to each other and their families. Their first date was at the 1979 Kennedy Eagles homecoming game. Their wedding is planned for August at Mount Calvary Church in Eagan.

Ronald D. Perko Age 50 of Lakeville passed away unexpectedly on July 28, 2012. Preceded in death by mother Dolores Perko. He was a wonderful husband and an amazing father. He loved to spend time with his “girls”. He loved the outdoors; camping, hiking and climbing 14ers. He was a great cook and passionate connoisseur of good food. He is greatly loved and will be forever missed by family and friends. Survived by loving wife Sherry; daughters Taylor and Jordan; f a t h e r M i l t o n P e r k o ; s i s t e rs Laura (Jim) McCommis, Diane (Ron) Kenley and Judy (Dave) K u l i k o w s k i ; b r o t h e r s L a r ry (Chris) and Ken (Carol) Perko; Also by many loving relatives and friends. Funeral Service 11AM Friday August 3, 2012 at Hosanna! Church, 9600 163rd St. W. Lakeville, MN. Visitation 5-8pm Thursday, August 2, 2012 at White Funeral Home, 14560 Pennock Ave. and also one hour prior to service at church. White Funeral Home Apple Valley 952-432-2001 www.whitefuneralhomes.com

To submit an announcement Forms for birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and obituaries announcements are available at our office and online at www. thisweeklive.com (click on “Announcements” and then “Send Announcement”). Completed forms may be e-mailed to class.thisweek@ ecm-inc.com or mailed to Sun Thisweek, 15322 Galaxie Ave., Suite 219, Apple Valley, MN 55124. If you are submitting a photograph along with your announcement, please only submit photographs for which you have the right to permit Sun Thisweek to use and publish. Deadline for announcements is 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fee of $50 will be charged for the first 5 inches and $10 per inch thereafter. They will run in all editions of Sun Thisweek. Photos may be picked up at the office within 60 days or returned by mail if a selfaddressed, stamped envelope is provided.

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Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville August 3, 2012

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Scouts earn Eagle rank

Farmington Briefs Farmington Library events

Photo submitted

Cody and Tyler Johnson, sons of Wayne and Cathie Johnson, have achieved the highest rank in Scouting, the rank of Eagle Scout. Members of Troop 268 in Lakeville, they performed separate Eagle projects. Cody’s service project took place at the corner of County Road 46 and Galaxie Avenue. Leading 33 scouts and other volunteers, Cody refurbished a rain garden at the intersection with 40 plants and 25 yards of mulch after weeding. Tyler’s service project took place at Trinity Care Center in Farmington. Leading 36 scouts and other volunteers over a two-day period, Tyler made blankets and spent the day with the residents of the care center. Tyler’s project wasn’t about the blankets but spending time with the elderly. The brothers were honored at a special Eagle Scout ceremony on July 29 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lakeville.

Tuesday, Aug. 7. Explore rhythm in song, movement, speech, imagination and The Farmington Li- more while bringing stories brary, 508 Third St., has to life. For ages 3-1/2 to 5. planned the following Registration required. events. Call (651) 438-0250 • Farmington Book Group, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. for more information. • Wii Games, 3:30 to Tuesday, Aug. 7. Discuss 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. “Staggerford” by Jon Has6. Bowling, skiing, Super sler. New members welSmash Bros. Brawl, Raving come. Rabbids and more. For ages • Celebrate National Night Out, 6:30 to 8 p.m. 12 to 18. • Dr. Seuss & Mother Tuesday, Aug. 7. Watch Goose with SteppingStone “The Amazing Cow Boat” Theatre, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. presented by Open Eye

Figure Theatre’s Driveway Proof of residency will be Tour. Refreshments provid- required. The event will be at the ed. For all ages. Farmington Maintenance 19650 Municipal Drop-off set for Facility, Drive. Vehicles must enter home hazardous the drop-off on Municipal Drive from 197th Street waste and exit onto English Av The Farmington City enue, just south of 195th Council and the Dakota Street. County Board of Com- For more information, missioners are offering a including a list of materiHousehold Hazardous als accepted, visit www. Waste drop-off event in ci.farmington.mn.us or call Farmington from 9 a.m. (651) 280-6905. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8.

candidates, from 8A

your property or not, they’re always compensated for those permitting easements. Sometimes it will be a tradeoff. Maybe they’ll get some kind of a reduced … lands to donate. It’s not as much a financial gain for them as a land donation from them. But I think you have to compensate people for their property. I’m a strong advocate for property rights.” Budenski: “Obviously, I don’t support the policies, since Eureka Township is the only township that did not adopt the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Agreement. In fact, I’m the one who came up with the motion to reject it twice. … We filled Eureka Town Hall at the public hearing concerning this, saying there’s no way we’re going to give 50 feet on both sides of the Vermillion watershed and or the tributaries to the government without being compensated. It would be the biggest taking of land that the government has ever encountered. This is like condemnation. … I haven’t heard of anyone being compensated for this.” Slavik: “I do not support these policies. I’m a very firm believer in property rights. I believe you need willing property owners. There are some property owners that will choose to donate that land, and they do have that right. Maybe there’s a tax incentive with that, but they should not be forced to do

like this. I believe that once a good person is found, I think we should continue to keep him in place.” Fogarty: “I like the idea of term limits at higher levels of office. In a county commissioner position, in a city council position, I tend to agree. There’s a great deal of institutional knowledge that comes with being a part of government for many years. Understanding the when and the where is really important; sometimes it’s really critical to understand the why. If you were there when legislation … or ordinances were created …you really understand what was behind it. … I put my own term limits on my own city council chair, so I believe the individual should be doing it to themselves.“ Budenski: “I disagree. I think term limits, 32 years is a long time. In today’s world, they’re coming up with a new computer every six weeks,

and things change drastically in this world, this country. To keep up with everything, similar to technology, you need new blood. How long … probably half that, maybe 16 years … is what I’ve thought term limits should be.” Slavik: “I believe it’s actually the responsibility of the voters to go designate term limits. If a voter is unhappy with the quality of the candidate or … the elected official, (it’s the) responsibility of the citizenry to not only find a new person to run, but also to go and choose to either support or go on the other option on that. I’m not somebody who believes we should be having one more regulation with term limits.” As a Dakota County District 1 commissioner, Joe Harris has supported policies that under certain circumstances require property owners to give the government conservation easements for buffer zones around waterways and without requiring the government compensate property owners for the easements. Do you support these policies? Why? Fogarty: “I don’t support these polices. As a member of the Board of Soil and Water Resources, we do permitting easements all the time on all kinds of properties for all kinds of different reasons. While some may argue that the formula is not fair, that it’s too much, it’s too little, depending on it it’s

this without undue compensation. There’s challenges that when you are voluntarily donating land, there can be gaps in your land that causes an issue. That being said, I am a person who is a very strong advocate for creating buffer (zones) for … the Vermillion River. As a kid growing up there, I can recall how dirty the water was and over the past 25 years the water got substantially better, so buffer zones do work.” Henry: “The problem is we have two issues here. We have a property rights issue, which is very important, but we also have a public waters issue. If there is a gap in the protection of the public waters, or a tributary to the public waters, it may cause as much damage as if there had been no protection of the public waters. So, we need to make sure we are making compensation to these land owners. I do think maybe we should restrict the size of some of these buffers. I’m a huge advocate of conservation, but sometimes I wonder if 50 feet is needed.” Other topics covered during the forum included the county’s park plan and eminent domain, commissioner salaries and collaborative efforts to cut government costs. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville August 3, 2012

�� Farmington Seniors PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE OF SCOTT COUNTY Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) Public Hearing on the Preliminary VRWJPO 2013 Budget Notice is hereby given that the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) will hold a public comment period on Thursday, August 23, 2012, at the Dakota County Western Service Center, 14955 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley, Minnesota, Conference Room 334, for the purpose of receiving comments on the Preliminary VRWJPO 2013 Budget and Special Tax District Levy. The Preliminary VRWJPO 2013 Budget and Special Tax District Levy can be v i e w e d o n l i n e a t www.vermillionriverwatershed.org in the "News" category after Friday, July 27, 2012. Paper copies of the Preliminary VRWJPO 2013 Budget and Special Tax District Levy, can be obtained by contacting Katherine Carlson at 952-891-7086. Prior to the public hearing, written comments may be addressed to the VRWJPO, 14955 Galaxie Avenue, Apple Valley, MN 55124, or emailed to VRWJPO administrat o r M a r k Z a b e l a t mark.zabel@co.dakota.mn.us. 3095208 8/3-8/10/12P

PUBLIC NOTICE Credit River Township Board Meeting Monday, August 6, 2012, 6pm Agenda

6 PM: Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance 1) Approve or Amend Agenda 2) Consent Agenda 1) June 2012 Treasurer's Report 2) July 2012 Developer's Escrow Statement 3) July 9, 2012 Board Meeting Minutes 4) July 12, 2012 Bond Authorization Meeting Minutes 3) Open Forum 4) Old Business 1) Territory Update 2) CR 44 Frontage Road Turnback 3) 19555 Oak Grove Avenue 4) Fern & Birch Reconstruct Informational Meeting 5) New Business 1) 210th Street Paved 2) Territory/ Dakota Avenue Extension 3) Minnesota Association of Townships District 4 Meeting 4) Town Hall Internet Passwor d Protected 6) Road Report 1) Discuss Yield Sign at Oak Hill Circle 7) Engineer's Report 1) Lynn & Monterey 8) Treasurer’s Report 1) Transfer Funds 2) Bond Update 3) Post Issuance Policy & Proceedures 4) Budget 2013 5) Vacation Time 9) Clerk's Report 1) Reconvene of Annual Meeting 2) Data Practices Act/ Redaction of Employee's Net Wages 3) Primary August 14, 2012 1) Election Judges Scheduled 10) Review and Pay Bills 11) Adjourn 3101929 8/3/12

The Rambling River Center is located at 325 Oak St. For more information on trips, programs and other activities, call (651) 280-6970.

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Lakeville Seniors

Wabasha Street Caves for a 45-minute walking tour. Then hop a bus for the Twin Town Tacky Tour of tacky places in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Program time: 10 a.m. Minneapolis/Nicollet to 4:30 p.m. Cost: $39/members, $49/nonmembers. Bus Mall will leave from the Rambling Take a bus and light rail River Center. Deadline: Aug. Thursday, Aug. 30, to down- 29. town Minneapolis. Visit the Farmer’s Market and the Amish tour Mary Tyler Moore statue. A guide will explain Lunch at Brit’s Pub. Program Amish culture and history on time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: this bus tour of the Harmony $10/members, $20/nonmem- area on Oct. 2. Lunch at the bers. Bus will leave from Harmony House. Program the Rambling River Center. time: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Deadline: Aug. 23. Cost: $43/members, $53/non-

a.m. live eagle program on Wednesday, Oct. 10. On the way, stop for a coffee break at the Smokey Row Cafe in Red Wing. Lunch at the Silver Star Saloon and Grill in Wabasha. Visit Lark Toys in Kellogg on the way home. Program time: 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost: $40/members, $50/nonmembers. Deadline: Sept. 25.

Cirque Dreams – Winter Wonderland

Spend Friday, Nov. 30, at Mystic Lake Casino with morning gaming, lunch on your own, followed by a permembers. Deadline: Sept. 11. formance of Cirque Dreams Wabasha Street – Winter Wonderland. Bus will leave from the Rambling Wabasha and Caves, tacky tour River Center. Program time: On Wednesday, Sept. 19, Kellogg tour 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Cost: start with lunch at Joseph’s Visit the National Ea- $39/members, $49/nonmemGrill before going to the gle Center and see the 11 bers. Deadline: Sept. 10.

The Lakeville Senior Center is located at 20732 Holt Ave. Senior center inquiries can be directed to Linda Walter, senior coordinator, at (952) 985-4622 or lwalter@ lakevillemn.gov.

Pre-paid funeral appointments Arnold Zach will be available for half hour appointments from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 6. Sign up at the senior center. Cost: One punch.

Book Club with Murray The Book Club will meet at 10 a.m. on Aug. 7 to discuss “Lunch at the Piccadilly” by Clyde Edgerton. This group is led by Lakeville Heritage Library’s Murray Wilson. New members are welcome. Cost:

One punch.

Diners Club Both singles and couples are invited to dinner Thursday, Aug. 9, at Maynard’s in Excelsior. Meet at the restaurant at 5 p.m. Sign up by Aug. 7 so reservations can be made.

Motorcycle Club On Aug. 9, take a short ride (destination to be determined). On Aug. 23, take a long ride to Taylors Falls. Depart from the senior center at 10 a.m. for both rides. The following Saturday rides are planned and will depart at 9 a.m. from the senior center parking lot. • Aug. 18, Faribault, location to be determined • Sept. 15, destination to be determined

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Thisweekend ‘Wrong’

feels so right

After a decade-long hiatus, Mindy Miller of Savage returns to country music with a new album by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

Mindy Miller’s country music career was picking up momentum when family tragedy struck. In 2000, the singersongwriter from Savage had just completed her second album, “Perfectly,” and was set to embark on a tour of Europe when her mother fell ill with cancer. Wanting to be by her mother’s side as she battled the disease, Miller canceled her tour, and subsequently saw her record deal dissolve. And that appeared to be the end of Miller’s life in show business. Until now. Next week will see the release of her third album, “Wrong.”

After a decade-long break from country music – a period which saw the death of her mother in 2003 – Miller was contacted in 2010 by her former producer, Curt Ryle, signed to the Tate Music Group label and recorded her latest CD in Nashville. Miller, who works fulltime as a budget analyst in Eagan and employs her vocal talents as a member of the worship team at Destiny Christian Center in Burnsville, has high hopes for “Wrong.” Five-second TV ads for the album – featuring the CD’s cover art and a clip of Miller’s music – are scheduled to air on cable channels CMT and GAC later this summer. And her label

Photo submitted

Mindy Miller’s new album “Wrong” was recorded in Nashville and is slated for release next week. When she’s not doing country music, Miller employs her vocal talents as a member of the worship team at Destiny Christian Center in Burnsville. has launch parties planned in both the Twin Cities and Nashville. It doesn’t hurt that the songwriting credits on “Wrong” include some Alist country music stars, including Carrie Underwood, who co-wrote the track “Same Old Song and Dance.”

With all the fanfare surrounding the record’s release – her label has planned a promotional push aimed at getting nationwide radio airplay for three of the songs – this summer marks a high point for Miller, a Kansas native who began singing not long after she learned

to talk. “When I was 3 I’d walk around the house and sing – I’d use my mom’s hairbrush and I’d sing the song ‘Elvira,’ ” said the Kansas native. “You’d think it was the only song I knew.” Though “Wrong” won’t officially be released until next week, several of

Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley. Hear reports from the Minnesotans who have just returned from the CCL National Conference in Washington, D.C. Information: Paul Hoffinger, (651) 882-0671. Movies in the Park, “The Muppets,” at dusk at the Central Park Amphitheater near City Hall, Rosemount. Bring blankets and lawn chairs. Weather-related updates: (952) 985-1790, option No. 6.

Family Fun Tuesday – Postcards from South America with Nicolas Carter, 10 to 11 a.m. in the Sculpture Garden at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. $4 per person donation is suggested. Information: (651) 454-9412 or www. caponiartpark.org. Tuesday Evenings in the Garden – The Sustainable Landscape with Janet Erdman, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the garden at UMore Park, 1605 160th St. W. (County Road 46), Rosemount. See the newly created sustainable garden and learn how native plants create a landscape that needs less care and preserves biodiversity. Fee: $10. Questions or to register by phone, call University of Minnesota Extension: (651) 480-7700.

ily games. Information: www. cityofeagan.com/marketfest or (651) 675-5500.

the tracks are available for listening at her Tate Music Group artist page, www.mindymichellemiller. tmgartist.com. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Friday, Aug. 3 Forever Wild Family Friday: Storytelling with Roy Edward Power, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Lebanon Hills Visitor Center – Discovery Room, Lebanon Hills Regional Park, 860 Cliff Road, Eagan. All ages. Free. Registration required. Course No. 4089. Information: http://www. co.dakota.mn.us/LeisureRecre-

ation/CountyParks/Calendar. Saturday, Aug. 4 Car wash by the Rosemount High School girls soccer team, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Rosemount Goodyear. Tickets sold in advance, or a donation of $5 can be made the day of the car wash. Soccer apparel and equipment for boys and girls in need will be collected. Citizens Climate Lobby meeting from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Galaxie Library, 14955

Tuesday, Aug. 7

Wednesday, Aug. 8 Eagan Market Fest, 4 to 8 p.m., Eagan Festival Grounds. Celtic music night featuring Todd Menton and Lehto & Wright along with free kids’ art and fam-

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Thursday, Aug. 9 Thursday Rockin’ Readers – ISD 191 Community Education Director Tom Umhoefer, 11:15 a.m., Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour – Wonderful World of Woody, noon, Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Minnesota Valley Christian Women’s Connection Luncheon – “Tea for You and Me” from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at Enjoy restaurant, 15435 Founders Lane, Apple Valley. Speaker Dorothy Ruppert will share “A Better Plan.” Bonnie Kastelein will show how to put on the perfect tea party. Cost is $16. Reservations/cancellations: Lisa at (952) 403-0773.

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Friday, Aug. 10 Outdoor movie, “Gnomeo and Juliet,” 7:30 p.m. seating, dusk showtime, part of Burnsville’s “Flicks on the Bricks” series at Nicollet Commons Park in the Heart of the City. Summer Fresh Friday Film, “Farm to School: Growing our Future,” 6 to 8 p.m. at Valley Natural Foods, 13750 County Road 11, Burnsville. Information: (952) 891-1212, ext. 221. Saturday, Aug. 11 Breakfast with Minnesota Twins players, 9 to 10 a.m. at the Chart House Restaurant in Lakeville. Register to win autographed Twins merchandise, bid in a live auction. Proceeds benefit Cheerful Givers birthday gift bag program. Breakfast/ admission tickets are $30. VIP/ breakfast tickets are $60. Space is limited. Register at http:// cgtwinsbreakfast12.eventbrite. com/. Blood drives The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. • Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Caribou Coffee, 3868 150th St., Rosemount. • Aug. 4, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan. • Aug. 7, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Everest Institute, 1000 Blue Gentian Road, Eagan. • Aug. 8, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Apple Valley Medical Center, 14655 Galaxie Ave., Apple Valley. • Aug. 8, 1 to 6 p.m., Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Drive, Lakeville. • Aug. 9, 1 to 6 p.m., Mt. Olivet Assembly of God Church, 14201 Cedar Ave. S., Apple Valley. • Aug. 9, Midwest Coca Cola Bottling Company, 2750 Eagandale Blvd., Eagan. • Aug. 9, noon to 5 p.m., Sam’s Club, 3035 Denmark Ave., Eagan. • Aug. 10, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Easter Lutheran Church – By The Lake, 4545 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan. • Aug. 10, noon to 5 p.m., Culver’s, 17800 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville. • Aug. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dakota County Fair, 4008 220th St. W., Farmington. Reunions Burnsville High School Class of 1992 will hold its 20th reunion from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Minneapolis. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door. To register and purchase tickets, visit https://reunionmanager.net/class_members/registration.php?class_id=124786 or contact Kelly Bruce Regan at kelbel070@gmail.com or Bob Hayes at bobhayes37@yahoo. com with questions.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville August 3, 2012

They’re off to see the Wizard Children’s theater group presents ‘Wizard of Oz’ at Burnsville PAC

Sun Thisweek

World-class bluegrass band Monroe Crossing will perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19, at Caponi Art Park in Eagan. The concert rounds out the park’s 2012 Summer Performance Series. The Okee Dokee Brothers will also bring kid-friendly bluegrass to the park for a Family Fun Tuesday event on Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. in the sculpture garden.

Concert canceled

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Eight-year-old Henry McCormick and 14-year-old Tia Thompson, both of Burnsville, are among the 80-actor cast of “The Wizard of Oz” which plays the Burnsville Performing Arts Center next week. Thompson is cast as Dorothy; McCormick is the munchkin coroner. film starring Judy Garland, including “Over the Rainbow,” “Ding, Dong the Witch is Dead,” and “If I Only had a Brain.” “The Wizard” marks the third show The Play’s The Thing has presented in the Burnsville Performing Arts Center’s 1,000-seat mainstage theater. In 2010 the children’s group presented “Annie Jr.” there, and last summer it staged “Beauty and the Beast Jr.”

Tickets for “Wizard” are $14 for adults, $12 for students, and are available at the Burnsville PAC box office and through Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787. More information about the show is at www.childrenstheatretptt.com. Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

theater and arts calendar To submit items for the Arts Calendar, email: darcy.odden@ ecm-inc.com. Books Mystery authors Marilyn Jax and Jim Proebstle from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Apple Valley Barnes & Noble, 14880 Florence Trail. Comedy Chris Shaw with special guest Raleigh Weld at 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, and Saturday, Aug. 4, at MinneHAHA Comedy Club, 1583 E. First Ave., Shakopee (lower level of Dangerfield’s), (612) 8609388, www.minnehahacomedyclub.com. Tickets: $13. Concerts Music in Kelley Park featuring Steve Sullivan & The Factory from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino St., Apple Valley. Free. Food and beverages available for purchase. Ethan Bortnick and The Kidz Bop Kids, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Canceled. Dave Koz with Bebe Winans, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $47. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Tommy Castro and the Painkillers and Marcia Ball, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $36. Tickets available at ticketmaster. com. Mu Daiko Japanese Taiko Drumming, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at Caponi Art Park’s Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater in Eagan. Suggested donation: $5. Rain location: Crossroads Church, Eagan. Information: www.caponiartpark.org. Barenaked Ladies and Blues Traveler with Cracker, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Sold out. Taj Mahal and Blind Boys of Alabama, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $47. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Rufus Wainwright with Adam Cohen, Krystle Warren, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $39. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Summer Salon chamber concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at Presbyterian Church of the Apostles, 701 E. 130th St., Burnsville. Suggested donation: $20. Information: (952) 890-7877 or www. ChurchApostles.org. Dance Zenon Dance School’s Hip Hop and Breakdance Camp Aug. 6-10 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center: 9 a.m. to noon, ages 6-10, $190; 12:30 to 4 p.m., ages 10-14, $220. Enroll online at www.zenondance.org/summer-camps-2012 or call (612) 338-1011. Exhibits/Art Shows Botanical art exhibit by The Great River Chapter of Botanical Artists at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Information: (952) 985-4640. Pilgrims and Passages, a joint exhibit featuring art by Anthony Donatelle and Jon Reischl, will be on display Aug. 2 through Sept. 8 in the gallery at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. For more information, call (952) 895-4676 or visit www.burnsvillepac.com. Summer art show by local

theater and arts briefs Monroe Crossing at Caponi Art Park

by Andrew Miller This summer, young actors with The Play’s The Thing Productions are learning how to fly. The Lakeville-based children’s theater group’s summer show, “The Wizard of Oz,” will see several of its cast members fitted with harnesses and zipping through the air. Dorothy defying gravity and the Wicked Witch piloting a broom through the sky are among the host of visual flourishes The Play’s The Thing director/producer Dayna Railton is employing as she brings her summer production, and its cast of 80 young actors, to the main stage of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center from Aug. 10-12. The production is the capstone to The Play’s The Thing’s theater camp for young people ages 4-17 that was held at Eagle Ridge Junior High in Savage this summer. The actors at the camp were divided into two groups – a main camp, and a “munchkin camp” for the 30 or so children ages 4 to 7 who will be performing as munchkins in “The Wizard of Oz.” “We have some very small munchkins,” Railton said. “They’re learning everything the older ones are learning – choreography, stage presence, focus, direction, projection.” The production features music from the classic MGM

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on Wednesdays at the Lakeville Senior Center, 20732 Holt Ave. Beginners, 9-10 a.m.; Intermediate, 10 a.m.-noon. $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. The Lakeville Area Arts Center offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn.gov, (952) 985Festivals The Dakota County Fair runs 4640. Aug. 6-12 at the fairgrounds in Farmington. Information: dakotacountyfair.org. Art and All That Jazz Festival, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, Nicollet Commons Park, Burnsville. Free admission. Information: www.burnsvilleartjazz. com.

artist Amie Kieffer from 4 to 8 p.m. Aug. 17-18 at 3245 145th St. W., Rosemount. The outdoor show will include about 60 original pieces; many will be for sale. Information: AK@AmieKieffer.com.

Theater The Peter Pan Project will present “Robin Hood” outdoors at Lakeville North High School at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Aug. 3-4 and 7 p.m. Aug. 5. The show is appropriate for all ages. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs. Expressions Community Theater will present “The Odd Couple” at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10-11 and 17-18, and 2 p.m. Aug. 12 and 19 at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $12 and can be ordered at www. lakeville-rapconnect.com or by calling (952) 985-4640. Workshops/classes Intermediate digital photography workshop from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 18, at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. Free, $5 suggested donation. Registration required. Information: www.caponiartpark.org or (651) 454-9412. Adult painting open studio from 9 a.m. to noon the first and third Fridays of the month at the Eagan Art House, 3981 Lexington Ave. S. Fee is $5 per session. Information: (651) 675-5521. Music Together in the Valley offers classes for parents and their infant, toddler and preschool children in Rosemount, Farmington, Lakeville and Apple Valley. Information: www.musictogetherclasses.com or (651) 439-4219. The Eagan Art House offers classes for all ages. For a complete listing go to www.eaganarthouse.org or call (651) 675-5521. Dan Petrov Art Studio in Burnsville offers oil painting classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced skill level painters, www.danpetrovart.com, (763) 843-2734. Teens Express Yourself with Paint, 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at Brushworks School of Art in Burnsville, www.BrushworksSchoolofArt.com, (651) 214-4732. Drama/theater classes for ages 4 and up at River Ridge Arts Building, Burnsville, (952) 7363644. Special needs theater program (autism-DCD), ages 5 and older, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. Join other 55-plus adults at the Eagan Art House to create beaded jewelry. The Jewelry Club meets on the third Friday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Information: (651) 675-5500. Savage Art Studios, 4735 W. 123rd St., Suite 200, Savage, offers classes/workshops for all ages. Information: www.savageartstudios.com or (952) 8950375. Soy candle making classes held weekly in Eagan near 55 and Yankee Doodle. Call Jamie at (651) 315-4849 for dates and times. $10 per person. Presented by Making Scents in Minnesota. Country line dance classes held for intermediates Mondays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., Farmington, $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Country line dance classes

A concert by Ethan Bortnick and the Kidz Bop Kids, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 3, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, has been canceled. Promoters said the show was canceled “due to unforeseen circumstances” and that ticket refunds will be available at points of purchase. Tickets purchased through Ticketmaster must be refunded through Ticketmaster, (800) 9822787. For more information, call (952) 895-4680.

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Sports

August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Fundraisers scheduled for injured LSHS student

Borowicz suffered fractured vertebra, spinal cord damage diving into pool

by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

A football team, a school and a community are mobilizing behind a Lakeville South High School student who is undergoing rehabilitation after injuring his neck in a diving accident less than three weeks ago. Dillon Borowicz, who will be a senior at LSHS in the fall, was injured when he dove into a pool at his home July 15. On his CaringBridge. org site, his family wrote that he fractured the front and back of his C5 vertebra, causing bruising and swelling of his spinal cord and resulting in paralysis. He has since regained some movement in his arms and upper body, is breathing on his own and is able to sit up for periods of time. On Monday, he was transferred from Hennepin County Medical Center to the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute. He is wearing a halo brace but is not expected to need surgery to stabilize his spinal column, said Natalie Breitung, who is coordinating fundraising efforts for the Borowicz family. Lakeville South football coach Larry Thompson, who has visited Borowicz in the hospital several times, said it’s his understanding that Borowicz’s injury is similar to one suffered by BenildeSt. Margaret’s boys hockey player Jack Jablonski in December 2011. Jablonski had fractured vertebrae and a damaged spinal cord after being checked into the boards during a game. Doctors initially expressed doubt that Jablonski would walk again, but the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported last week he is walking on a treadmill with assistance from therapists as part of his rehabilitation. The day before his injury,

Photo submitted

Lakeville South incoming senior Dillon Borowicz (right) is shown in a family photo. Borowicz, who played football and lacrosse at Lakeville South, injured his spinal column in a diving accident July 15 and is at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis.

Photo submitted

Lakeville South incoming senior Dillon Borowicz is at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis after injuring his spinal column in a diving accident July 15.

Photo submitted

Dillon Borowicz carries a tackling dummy during an off-season football workout. The Lakeville South senior-to-be was injured in a diving accident July 15 and is at the Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Minneapolis. Borowicz took part in a football camp at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Thompson said Borowicz was a candidate to start on the Lakeville South defensive line this fall. “He was at the Linemen’s Challenge at WisconsinStout, flipping tires, pushing the sled,” Thompson said. “I don’t know if he missed

a day of our off-season program, and when he was there he always had a smile on his face. That’s what makes this so hard.” On one of his visits, Thompson said Borowicz wanted to show him how much progress he had made by raising one arm, then the other, then both at the same time before slumping back

into his seat, exhausted. “I told him, ‘Dillon, you’re a fighter and a battler.’ And he said, ‘I love you, coach.’ It was just heart-wrenching, but at the same time, really uplifting.” Borowicz also is a lacrosse player at Lakeville South. Thompson said he hopes Borowicz can be on the Lakeville South football

sideline at some point this fall. Lakeville South players also will wear his number (74) somewhere on their helmets or jerseys. Meanwhile, several events have been arranged to raise money for the Borowicz family. A fund also has been established at the Anchor Bank branch in Lakeville. Breitung, a longtime family friend of the Borowiczs, said the goal is to have a fund ready for whatever expenses turn up during Dillon’s rehabilitation. For instance, “we don’t know yet if the family will need a van,” she said. A motorcycle/vehicle ride has been scheduled for Aug. 18, starting and ending at the Red Fox Tavern in Lakeville, where Borowicz worked.

Fundraisers also will be held Sept. 19 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Lakeville and Oct. 14 at the Red Fox Tavern. A Mass on Borowicz’s behalf also will take place Aug. 31 at All Saints Catholic Church in Lakeville. The football team is selling T-shirts to raise money for the family, and Thompson said the program is planning to donate some of the proceeds from its annual summer youth football camp. More information about the fundraising events is available at dillonborowicz. com. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike. shaughnessy@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Lakeville trap shooter Turning it loose sets sights on Rio Kelsey Zauhar fifth at the national championships

by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

Millions of people around the world are on their couches watching the Summer Olympics in London. S p e c t at o r s are rooting for their home countries while learning about some of the uncommon events and their fasci- Kelsey nating partici- Zauhar pants. Lakeville’s Kelsey Zauhar, an expert marksman, is wondering what it would be like to be there. “A lot of people don’t know even part of the Olympics,” Zauhar said of her sport, trap shooting. “But it’s the first medal given out and the thirdhighest participated event. Unfortunately there’s a bit of a stigma involved. It takes grace and athleticism to do what we do.” In early July, Zauhar finished fifth at the 19th annual USA Shooting National Championships at Fort Carson Army Base in Colorado Springs, Colo. It wasn’t the best finish of her career, but it wasn’t for lack of training. Zauhar shoots six hours a day at the Olympic Training Center. At night she spends time strength training between visits to the resident sports psychologist. “When you get to this level, everybody’s technical abilities are about the same,” Zauhar said. “But when there’s an Olympic spot on the line, that pressure causes a different reaction on the body.” Every decision she makes involves her shooting career.

“I’m definitely going to continue to 2016,” she said. “I’ll commit the next four years of my life to this and hopefully it pays off.” Corey Cogdell of Alaska qualified for the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team, the lone U.S. competitor in the event, but Zauhar is getting closer. She’s had several top-three national finishes in the past few years. “It’s like I’m two spots away,” she said. “I treat every day like it’s the Olympic Games. The hunger is still fresh and if I continue to improve I could be a force to be reckoned with.” She got her start at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake when she was 13 with some encouragement from her father. It was just a unique father-daughter pastime until she realized she was progressing quickly. She entered a few contests and won at the regional, state and Midwest levels before moving on to the national circuit. She was named to the AllAmerican girls team in 2004. Since graduating from Lakeville High School in 2004, she got involved in international trap in her early 20s and shot up the ranks quickly. Minnesota doesn’t offer much in the form of an international trap course, so she chased her dream to Texas and now Colorado. Zauhar made her first USA Shooting National Development Team in 2009 and her first USA Shooting National Team in 2010. Most marksmen are familiar with the American-style trap where the targets travel about 40-50 yards at about 40-50 mph at up to a 20-degree angle from one machine. In international trap, there are 15 machines shooting tar-

gets from 60-75 mph at a 45-degree angle that travel about 75 yards. “Everything is twice as hard,” she said. “Basically you’re shooting a limestone coaster with about a 12-inch margin of error.” Shooters have about 0.6 seconds to find the target, see its direction and judge its speed before they fire. “A lot can happen in that time,” she said. “The body has to move together. You need 100 percent mental focus and rely on your muscle memory. It’s a game of perfection.” The three-day round at nationals consisted of 250 targets, which is a marathon in the trap shooting world. Zauhar hit 233 while the winner, Rachael Heiden, had 247. “My results show that I’m one of the top in the country, but that’s subjective,” Zauhar said. “There are so many outside factors like wind, rain and cloud cover. You’d think I’d have more confidence, but it’s hard for me.” For now it’s back to shooting on the range in Colorado. To cross-train, many of the shooters head to the golf course, which is also an individual sport that tests one’s mental ability. “We’re all ultra-competitive,” Zauhar said. “Even the card games are competitive. Getting to the restaurant first is competitive.” Getting to the Olympics? Well, that’s another story Zauhar hopes to tell sometime in the next four years. Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Lakeville South’s Will Lundquist throws a pitch against Eagan in the Third District American Legion baseball playoffs Saturday at Alimagnet Park in Burnsville. Lundquist pitched South to a 3-1 victory, which kept the team alive in the tournament, but an 11-1 loss to Burnsville in an elimination game later Saturday ended its season. Lakeville North, meanwhile, routed St. Paul Park 14-1 on Saturday to earn one of the district’s three spots in the state tournament that begins Friday. Lakeville North will play Monticello in a first-round game at 1 p.m. Friday at Tahpah Park in Shakopee. Later-round games in the state tournament, which runs through Monday, will be at Chaska Athletic Park.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville August 3, 2012

Notebook: Prep volleyball preview this weekend in Burnsville by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

A sneak peek at some of the best teams and individuals in Minnesota high school volleyball can be had Saturday at Midwest Volleyball Warehouse in Burnsville. The Midwest Volleyball Warehouse/Breakdown Elite Captains Preseason Tournament starts at 9 a.m. The event, in its third year, attempts to bring together as many of the state’s top teams as possible. Thirty-two teams are in this year’s tournament, including Lakeville North and Lakeville South. Pool play starts at 9 a.m., with playoff rounds beginning at 3 p.m. Championship-round matches in three divisions begin at 6 p.m. The tournament features several players from the national champion Northern Lights Junior Volleyball 17-1 club team, which plays out of Midwest Volleyball Warehouse. That team won the 17-andunder open division at the USA Volleyball Junior National tournament. Players on the Northern Lights team included Lakeville North outside hitter Alyssa Goehner and Eden Prairie players Sarah

Wilhite and Jamie Cairncross. All three played in the state high school Class AAA championship match last November, when Eden Prairie outlasted North in a five-set match that included the longest fifth set (22-20) in state tournament history. Also on the Northern Lights team was setter Erica Handley, an All-State at Win-E-Mac last season who is expected to play for Lakeville North this fall. The Lakeville South team is led by sisters Jazzmyn and Jade Tingelhoff, who played for a 2011 Cougars team that lost to Lakeville North in five sets in the Section 3AAA final. Teams in the tournament essentially will be coached by their captains. The tournament falls outside the Minnesota State High School League summer waiver period, which means high school coaches cannot participate. The first day of coach-supervised practices is Aug. 13. Teams not invited to the Elite tournament will have a chance to play in Midwest Volleyball Warehouse Captains Preseason Tournament on Sunday. Pool play begins at 9 a.m., with playoff rounds starting at 3 p.m.

MYSA state tournament The Minnesota Youth Soccer Association summer state tournament wrapped up last week in Lakeville and Stillwater. State competition for the Under-11 through U13 boys and girls divisions took place at North Park in Lakeville. The July 27 Sun Thisweek edition detailed state championships won by the U13 Classic 1 Dakota REV girls, the U13 Classic 2 Burnsville Fire boys and the U13 Classic 2 Lakeville girls. Dakota REV also won a state title in the girls U12 Classic 3 division. Dakota Rev earned its third state championship of the summer in the girls U14 Classic 1 tourney when it defeated St. Croix 3-2 in the championship game July 25. Teams from that club also placed second in the girls U11 Classic 2, girls U15 Classic 3, boys U11 Classic 3 and boys U17 Classic 2 divisions. The Eagan Wave girls U15 Classic 1 team placed second in its division. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike.shaughnessy@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sports Briefs Lakeville South parent-athletecoach meeting Aug. 13 All fall athletes are required to attend the Fall Parent-Athlete-Coach meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 in the LSHS auditorium with one parent. The 6 p.m. presentation will cover all eligibility rules followed by break-out meetings with head coaches. The activity office will be staffed to help with eligibility paperwork and sales of season passes.

There will also be a test drive fundraiser with Jeff Belzer’s Chevrolet and Dodge from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 13 in front of Cougar stadium. Each 10-minute test drive will earn $15 for your activity of choice in addition to $5 for the All Sports Booster Club. Participants must be 18 or older, actually drive a Dodge car, and sign a waiver of liability before driving. After the test, the driver must fill out a brief survey. Passengers do not earn money for their activity. One driver per household.

Raffle tickets for the Lakeville South homecoming will also be available on Aug. 13. The $20 ticket has a grand prize of $1,000. The drawing is scheduled for halftime during the Oct. 5 homecoming football game. The raffle ticket also has two $8 oil changes to Home Town Auto, buyone-get-one golf at Heritage Links, and more than $100 of Lakeville restaurant coupons. All $20 from each ticket goes directly to help fund activity programs.

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August 3, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Business Briefs Pet store hosts fundraiser for nonprofit Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet, with locations in Eagan and Lakeville, will host the Pins for Pets fundraiser Aug. 4-5 at Flaherty’s Arden Bowl, 1273 W. County Road E, Arden Hills. Pins for Pets will support the nonprofit, Minnesota Spay and Neuter Assistance Program. This is the fifth year Chuck & Don’s is hosting the event and the third year MN SNAP is the benefitting organization. MN SNAP has a fully equipped mobile veterinary clinic that performs spay/neuter surgeries on 30 to 40 animals each day. Donations for Pins for Pets can be made at any Chuck & Don’s store at any time prior to the fundraiser. Bowling teams or individuals must register by Aug. 1. For registration information, visit www.pinsforpets.org.

Christian counseling office opens WLCFS-Christian Family Solutions has opened a Christian Family Counseling office at 19950 Dodd Blvd., Suite 102, Lakeville. The office will be staffed by Joshua Mears, Psy.D., LPCC, who specializes in psychological assessments, child and adolescent behavioral disorders/family conflict, as well as chemical abuse issues. He received his Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Argosy University-Twin Cities, an master’s degree in counseling psychology from Bethel University, and an undergraduate degree in psychology from Bethany Lutheran College. Prior to joining WL-

CFS, Mears completed his doctoral internship at the Minnesota Correctional Facility-Stillwater, specializing in crisis intervention and aggression reduction interventions. Mears also has five years of experience working as an inhome therapist with adolescents and their families. Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-4381772. To learn more, visit www.ChristianFamilySolutions.org.

Lakeville barber shop receives AED grant TR’s Barber Shop, Lakeville, has received an Automated External Defibrillator grant from the Allina Health Heart Safe Communities Program. The grant includes an AED unit, carry case, alarmed cabinet, ready kit and medical direction. It also includes a CPR Anytime kit for AED training. In addition to the AED, Heart Safe Communities also provides ongoing service and care for the AED unit in coordination with the AED’s site manager. Allina has clinics in Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington and Lakeville.

Regional chamber hosts business awards The 2012 Dakota County Regional Chamber Business Excellence Awards Celebration will be held from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, at Lost Spur Golf and Event Center, 2750 Sibley Memorial Highway, Eagan. The Business Excellence Awards honor member businesses and business leaders in the community. This year’s theme is “Be Green, See Success.” The DCR Chamber will rec-

Lakeville Briefs ognize businesses who are committed leaders in environmental safety, conservation and sustainability. Tickets to the event are $30 per person and include a full breakfast. To register, call Jessy Annoni at (651) 288-9202.

ProAct Golf Classic returns to Hastings The annual ProAct Golf Classic fundraiser will return to the Hastings Country Club on Monday, Aug. 13. The 18-hole event will begin with registration from 10 to 11:30 a.m., an early lunch starting at 10:45 a.m. and a shotgun start at 11:45 a.m. Live and silent auctions, a raffle and a gourmet dinner will follow the game. The four-person scramble-style event will feature golf skill challenges and group photos, as well as prizes for winning teams. The cost is $150 per golfer; a portion of the cost is tax-deductible. The price for the dinner only is $35. To register, go to www. proactinc.org or contact Heidi Hanson at (651) 289-3149 or hhanson@ proactinc.org. Sponsorships are also available.

Dakota Electric appreciation event a success A crowd of 8,884 Dakota Electric Association members and their families attended the company’s 15th annual Member Appreciation Event at the Minnesota Zoo on July 26. During the event, zoo admission was free to all who purchase electricity from Dakota Electric, a member-owned cooperative. Attendees were asked to bring food donations

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for area food shelves, and visitors donated 2,315 pounds of food along with $963 in cash. Since the cooperative began hosting this event, Dakota Electric’s members have donated nearly 11 tons of food and more than $7,000 to the local food shelves.

Lakeville clinic to host Night to Unite festivities FamilyHealth Medical Clinic, 9974 214th St. W., Lakeville, will host Night to Unite activities from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7. A free picnic dinner and variety of entertainment will be offered. Call (952) 469-0500 for information.

disciplines. The Burnsvillebased business has more than 1,600 employees in Minnesota – approximately 1,275 in Burnsville, and 335 in Eagan. The MEMS manufacturing facility will produce miniature silicon wafer sensors that are used across the company’s commercial and military aerospace sensor-based products and systems. Also attending the ceremony were Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Mark Phillips, state Sen. Dan Hall, state Rep. Pam Myhra, Minnesota Speaker of the House Kurt Zellers and a bipartisan delegation of other legislators. Approximately 180 Goodrich employees joined in marking the opening of the facility.

Goodrich opens expanded Hunt elected to facility in Toastmasters Burnsville Goodrich Corpora- post

tion chairman, president and chief executive officer Marshall Larsen joined Gov. Mark Dayton, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, and other officials at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 20 to mark the opening of its expanded high-tech manufacturing facility in Burnsville. The ceremony included a tour of advanced production, design and development areas for micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) within the new 46,000-square-foot expansion. The facility is part of Goodrich’s Sensors and Integrated Systems business, which employs approximately 4,200 people worldwide in high-tech

Clinton Hunt Jr. of Lakeville has been elected lieutenant governor of marketing of Toastmasters District 6, which includes Minnesota and parts of Canada. He previously served as division governor, area governor and president of his club. He has earned several Toastmasters awards, including Toastmaster of the Year, Escalate Toastmasters (2008-09); Rivers Division Area Governor of the Year, (2010-11); and Distinguished Toastmaster (2011), which is the highest award Toastmasters bestows, recognizing both communication and leadership skills. Escalate Toastmasters in Eagan serves as Hunt’s home Toastmasters club.

Heritage Library children’s programs The Heritage Library in Lakeville will host the following children’s programs: • Doll Stories and Exhibit, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 6. Hear doll stories and see a collection of dolls from around the world. Bring your own favorite doll to show off. For all ages. • Wendy’s Wiggle Jiggle and Jam, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8. Everyone will take turns leading dances and songs with rhythm instruments, puppets and plush toys. For all ages. • Storytime for Babies, 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10. Stories, songs, bounces and playtime for children newborn to 24 months and their caregivers. • Elephant Pots with Abrakadoodle, 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13. Use clay to make elephant pots. For ages 7 to 12. Registration required. • Chapters: “The Dream Stealer,” 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15. Listen to the story of “The Dream Stealer” by Sid Fleischman and make a dreamcatcher craft. For ages 5 to 12. • Half-Pint Horses, 10:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, Aug. 16. Head outdoors to enjoy horse stories and meet miniature horses. For ages 3 to 12. • Creepy Crawly Critters, 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 17. Storytime and a craft project about creepy, crawly bugs and spiders. For all ages. These library programs are free. For more information, call (952) 891-0360.

17A him to $51,665, surpassing the 2002 wage compensation study median for his position. The 2002 wage compensation study was authorized to be conducted by the then-Farmington City Council, but were not shown the full study, according to former council members, city meeting packets and minutes. Wendlandt asked City Attorney Joel Jamnik in an e-mail if she was required to present information about the new compensation structure to the council. Jamnik encouraged Wendlandt to provide more detailed information to the council. She provided a study summary and did not inform the council that the study found lower-level positions were being paid below market rate while supervisory positions were paid above market rate. Wendlandt also said the study would include “salary adjustments and title changes for some city staff ” but did not identify the positions or amounts. “Hopefully all future wage increases will come to the council in some form or fashion,” current City Council Member Jason Bartholomay said.

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ing his wage to $88,740 (cost-of-living raise) until City Administrator the last increase before he Dave McKnight stated in was forced to resign after a an e-mail that raises for the heated July 3, 2003, emeradministrator are approved gency meeting of the thenby a separate resolution by Farmington City Council. the City Council, and are An overflowing crowd not part of agreed raises for that included then-current and former city staff, connon-union employees. Shukle did not respond fronted Ristow and thento messages seeking com- council members to protest Shukle’s resignation, acment. The $6,383 increase was cording to meeting minutes. the fourth raise Shukle had So great was the outcry received in the 22 months that extra police were stationed in City Hall for sehe led the city. Shukle’s starting sal- curity. ary on Sept. 4, 2001, was Speakers pressed Ris$80,000, and four months tow, and council members later, it increased to $81,600 Cordes and Bill Fitch to for a cost-of-living increase. explain why they supported Former Finance Direc- Shukle’s resignation; thentor Robin Roland and cur- council members Christy rent Human Resources Di- Jo Fogarty and Kevan Sorector Brenda Wendlandt derberg, who would later gave the approval signa- become mayor, stated they tures on Shukle’s cost-of- did not know the reasons for shortening Shukle’s living increases. After two more months, contract. Shukle received a $5,400 Ristow said then that raise resulting from his data privacy laws limited six-month review to earn their responses. According to meeting $87,000. According to Shukle’s minutes, Ristow said there employment contract, his were negotiations going on salary was to increase to for about a year. $83,000 after a satisfactory “We cannot sit here and job review, and another tell you what goes on interraise after a year, provid- nally,” the minutes quote ing he earned a satisfactory Ristow. “There are a lot job performance evaluation of things that could come out yet, as attorney (Joel) from the City Council. Shukle’s contract stated Jamnik has indicated, and he would receive annual re- we have to back it. Some of views, and if positive, raises you are employers and have at an amount equal to or employees and when things greater than that given are brought to your attenother employees, subject to tion, you know what the data privacy act entails.” City Council approval. Shukle’s salary increased Larson predicted that four months later, bring- Shukle’s raises would be

part of Farmington’s current review of past department head salaries after this newspaper’s report about multiple raises city officials have received. “It wouldn’t surprise me if it was part of the investigation,” Larson said. “We definitely do not do things like that now. The administrator’s salary is subjected to council review and negotiations.” When Shukle left in 2003, he received a severance package that included six months salary lump sum payment of $47,625, $7,000 compensation for costs related to obtaining other employment and up to $1,500 reimbursement of legal fees, according to the separation agreement. Previous to Farmington, Shukle worked for 13 years in Mound as city manager. Mound’s then-Mayor Pat Meisel said Shukle was terminated from that position on a split vote because some council members felt he was not living up to the job. He has served as administrator in Jordan since 2006.

Multiple raises Farmington city department directors’ salaries currently range from $93,684 to $106,613 plus benefits. Wendlandt is the city’s highest-paid director and oversees a staff of three. Her salary has nearly tripled in her 15 years with the city, and she was given title changes that came with raises without City Council

knowledge or approval. According to city records, Roland approved Wendlandt’s first promotion from coordinator to manager and Shukle approved her promotion to director. The city is interviewing to hire a finance director at a starting salary between $76,447 and $93,684. Many of directors have received more than one raise annually. In his nine years as parks director, Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad’s salary has risen 15 times, going from $68,440 to $102,304, an increase totaling $33,864. Based on his starting salary and nine annual raises at 4 percent, his salary would be about $97,200. City Engineer Kevin Schorzman has earned almost $40,000 in raises in the five years he has worked for Farmington. Schorzman started as an assistant engineer earning $64,334 in 2007, was promoted to engineer in 2008, and now earns $102,730. Larson said the city saved money by hiring its own engineer instead of paying Bonestroo Engineering employees to work full-time at the city. “When I realized how much we were paying Bonestroo one of the things I wanted to do was have our own engineering staff and eliminate those expenses,” Larson said. Since Farmington police Chief Brian Lindquist took his department’s top

job in 2006, his salary has gone from about $27,000, from $80,833 as interim police chief to his current $102,743 salary. His salary has increased about 4 percent annually based on six years of raises. Lindquist regularly works four-day work weeks, and stays late one night per week; Farmington City Council members have raised concerns about his year-round Fridays-off work weeks during recent budget workshops. Among the concerns is that the regular three-day weekends could affect employee morale. Farmington Municipal Services Director Todd Reiten has been with the city since 1993, working his way up from a mechanic to fleet maintenance supervisor then assistant public works director before earning that department’s top spot in 2006. When he started as a director in 2008, Reiten was earning $73,851; he now earns $93,684. He was a fleet maintenance supervisor in 2002 earning $45,849 and received two raises within four months that were partly based on the 2002 compensation study findings. The study found his salary was underpaid by almost 12 percent, and the market median salary was $51,175. After two raises, Reiten was earning $50,652 in July of 2003. Five months later, costof-living increases brought

Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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may, from 1A ress has been slow and she said new faces may inspire more change. Twice annually, the city’s general fund dips into the red. May has repeatedly advocated for out-of-the-box solutions to address the fiscal problems, including restructuring city services, operations and staff and said she would like to see more changes made to improve the city budget. During a recent workshop, May successfully gained majority support for moving the city’s struggling downtown liquor store to a

smaller, cheaper and more visible location off of Highway 3 in hopes of generating more revenue. But when the issue came up for a vote, Council Member Christy Jo Fogarty changed her mind and became the swing vote to keep the liquor store at its spacious City Center location near the grocery store. May’s suggestion at a July budget workshop that the city consider allowing teens to use the Rambling River Center in an effort to get more use out of the building, as originally proposed, did not gain much council support and drew ire from senior citizens.

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conducting the survey a year early has its benefits, especially when it comes to communicating the budget situation the district faces. That length of time can be a double-edged sword. Events could occur that reduce purported support for a levy. “We don’t know what’s going to happen. We don’t know as we look forward how that’s going to change,” Lifto said.

Steve Mielke said this position would help his office with a number of projects, while freeing the planning department (which currently assists Mielke) to focus on the increasing number of new plat applications. Other proposed initiatives for 2013 include an automated system for employment applications (a $7,000 expense), custodians for the Heritage Center ($32,923, a $6,000 discount on outsourcing such responsibility) and adding irrigation system to the Lakeville Area Arts Center ($14,000). A major proposed initiative for 2013 is a rookie class of 15 recruits to the fire department to replace those who have retired or resigned. This $67,000 expenditure covers everything from training to gear to requisite medical processes, Fire Chief Mike Meyer said. The fire department loses volunteer firefighters

Good teachers Other areas the survey looked at were respondents’ assessments of the district’s financial responsibility, its best qualities and its leaders’ ability to plan. About 37 percent of those surveyed said the best quality of the district was the teachers. When it came to how the public perceived the See levy, 22A

She said she believes fresh perspectives could bring a new dynamic to the City Council to address the issues that the current council makeup has not been able to achieve. “Had I been part of a more cohesive group to work constructively with staff, I probably would run again,” May said. “But at this point, I want to encourage others to run. That’s why I’m stepping aside. If we get a new face in there, it will keep things a little more fresh.” May’s seat is one of three up for election this year. Farmington Mayor Todd Larson has filed for re-elec-

mostly because they change jobs or have busy family schedules. New recruits are necessary for proper coverage. Assuming all 15 make the cut, the fire department will have 88 firefighters under the proposal. For 2014, a couple state and national policies could affect the city’s fund balance. One is the voter ID amendment, which voters will decide on this November. The cost to administer additional provisional ballots (for those who vote but don’t have legal ID on them at the time) would be about $10,000 to $15,000, according to the budget document. The other factor is the Affordable Care Act. This could cost the city between $30,000 and $50,000 by the Finance Department’s estimates because the city

tion, and Council Member Terry Donnelly has not filed or announced if he will seek another term. “I just don’t think the three of us getting re-elected is going to do the city any good,” May said. “The dynamic of the group we have right now just isn’t working. It really doesn’t have the dynamic to make any change.” Farmington Planning Commission Member Doug Bonar has also announced he will seek office, but as of Tuesday had not filed for candidacy.

would need to provide health insurance for seasonal employees working more than 30 hours a week. The City Council will discuss the budget further at its August work session. This will be followed by a Sept. 4 approval of the preliminary budget and tax levy. There will be more discussion at work sessions in September, October and November. A Truth-in-Taxation hearing will occur in December and will be followed by a final approval of the budget that same month. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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zupke, from 1A er sister Micah. On this most recent trip, Matt, 15, had a leadership role as part of the crew of the ship, keeping an eye on the seas. It wasn’t the first time. “In Liberia I did pirate and stowaway watch,” he said in an interview recently. In talking at Mainstreet Coffee Cafe, he and Margo exuded earnest excitement and a profound belief in their mission. Gurkhas helped guard the ship, providing a powerful reinforcement for those on pirate watch. For more than 1,000 years the Nepalese warriors have been known for their tenacity at battle. “They’re cool guys,” Margo said. When the ship docks in a nation’s port, the crew members’ duties extend off the boat. In Liberia, Matt “adopted” a patient named David, a 15-year-old soccer goalie with a clubbed foot. “Matt would go down and visit David every day,” Margo said. Matt said he and David played “Liberian checkers,” though Matt swears “David made up the rules as he went.” Matt and David got along well, helped by the fact that David spoke Liberia’s national language, English. The common language offered up the ability to find friendship in nuance. “He even played drums,” Matt said. After Mercy Ships’ volunteer doctors fixed David’s foot, the boy switched from goalie to offense, Matt said. David was thrilled. These trips are not without an element of risk. In Benin, Matt was riding in a truck that got a bit too close to the president’s home. “Two (Range) Rovers stopped us,” Matt said. “They had AKs strapped to their chests and a 50 cal(iber gun) on the truck.” At first, the Zupkes only volunteered with Mercy’s European fleet, which was responsible for acquiring supplies and crew, Margo said. The family visited the Faroe Islands and the Netherlands. “It was a safe and fun one to do,” Margo said. “When they asked us to go to South Africa, I said ‘No way. I’m not going to Africa ever.’” Sam had served in Europe when he was in the military, so it seemed like

levy, from 21A district’s management of its finances, 38 percent gave the district a B, 31 percent a C and 14 percent a D. Seven percent gave it an A. The responses were similar when people were asked to grade whether the district was “spending tax dollars wisely.” About 36 percent gave it a B, 34 percent a C, about 15 percent a D and 9 percent an A. The sizeable C grades and lower with regard to finances were not necessarily an indicator of a lack of trust. When respondents were asked to indicate positive or negative agreement about the district’s trustworthiness with the local tax dollars, about 61 percent said

that would be the most familiar option to stick with. The Zupkes would still be helping out the disadvantaged by procuring supplies, even if it was not a situation of direct contact. But after some prayer and contemplation, the family decided to give the second most populous continent a try. And their lives have never been the same. Other than quick brushes with danger – or perceived danger – the family was never in a wholly dire situation. Nevertheless, Margo said she did have moments of concern early on. “I thought what on Earth am I thinking bringing little kids to live in Liberia under security,” she said, “but we were so safe.” They were street-smart when walking around and in some of the countries, such as Liberia, volunteers stayed in camps surrounded by razor wire and security forces from the United Nations. They lived on the edge to bring others from the edge. In addition to the risk and the gift of their time, the Zupkes had to pay for the privilege of riding on the ship and helping out. The cost is about $4,000 total on average. This past year, the Zupkes raised $8,000, all of which went toward helping to provide the services to the African patients. The African patients aren’t the only ones who derive value from these summer excursions of fellowship. The Zupkes take a lot from them as well. Matt, for example, said he does not fall prey to the ferocious demand instilled by marketing. Based on what he has experienced, he feels that he has enough. “I think about it all the time,” he said. He recalled how Liberia barely had electricity, “There would be one generator with a thousand wires. I’ve seen stuff that nobody (teens in Lakeville) will ever see in their lives. What’s happening in other countries – poverty, civil war – I’ve seen some gruesome stuff.” Mercy Ships also operates in the Caribbean. For more information, or to get involved, go to www.mercyships.org. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

they agreed the district was trustworthy. About 38 percent said it was not trustworthy. “Planning for the educational needs of the community” earned higher marks. About 48 percent gave the district a B, 24 percent a C and about 18 percent an A. Discussions about the budget and a possible operating levy referendum will be ongoing for months. School Board Member Bob Erickson noted that the results were positive after the iPad initiative, saying it was evidence of the public’s belief in the hightech effort. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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